Screwworm Confirmed In Texas Wildlife
The flesh-eating parasite, long eradicated in the U.S., was found in Texas wildlife.
October 22, 2026 · Updated Oct 22, 11:22am ET
Daily BeastFlesh-Eating Parasite Outbreak Takes Grim Turn
CBS NewsFirst case of New World screwworm in U.S. wildlife confirmed in Texas elk, USDA says
Washington ExaminerFirst case of flesh eating screwworm confirmed in US wildlife
The GuardianOfficials confirm flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite found in US wildlife
NewsNationScrewworm spreads to US wildlife in Texas, USDA says
UPIFirst New World screwworm case of current outbreak found in U.S. wild
AxiosNew World screwworm spreads to Texas wildlife, raising outbreak concerns
Straight Arrow NewsLong eradicated in US, New World screwworm detected in Texas wildlife
22%
Left · 2
67%
Center · 6
11%
Right · 1
Pano rates the coverage Mostly Center.
What happened
Federal and Texas officials confirmed the first known New World screwworm case in U.S. wildlife during the current outbreak. The case involved a female elk harvested on a game ranch in Pecos County, Texas. New World screwworm was eradicated from the United States decades ago, but it has spread north through Central America and Mexico. It reappeared in U.S. livestock this year, including in a Texas calf. The USDA says the parasite does not pose a food-safety risk, though it can threaten meat production. Officials urged hunters and landowners to report suspected cases quickly. Texas is expanding an infested zone while surveillance continues.
How the left told it
Left-leaning outlets framed the wildlife case as both an economic threat and a warning sign for containment efforts. The Guardian tied the outbreak response to tighter cattle supplies and record beef prices for consumers. The Daily Beast leaned into the alarm of a flesh-eating parasite reaching wildlife, while stressing expanded surveillance and vigilance.
How the right told it
Only one right-leaning outlet we track covered this: Washington Examiner, under the headline “First case of flesh eating screwworm confirmed in US wildlife”.
